MEDICAL DISABILITY PROF RELATIONS OFF - 64083922

Requisition No: 863310 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: MEDICAL DISABILITY PROF RELATIONS OFF - 64083922

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64083922 

Salary:  $47,668.01 - $101,775.00 

Posting Closing Date: 10/28/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

DIVISION OF DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS

ANTICIPATED VACANCY

INTERNAL AGENCY

TITLE:  MEDICAL DISABILITY PROFESSIONAL RELATIONS OFFICER

POSITION LOCATION: TAMPA / HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

POSITION #:    64083922

SALARY:         $47,668.01 - $101,775.00

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The role of this position is to work with the medical professionals, organizations in the community and Division of Disability Determinations (DDD) staff to facilitate disability determination functions. This position promotes awareness of the disability program's medical evidence needs and ensures that adequate medical resources are available to provide consultative examinations (CEs). This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with Social Security Administration (SSA) CE oversight duties and responsibilities.

Serves as liaison between DDD, physicians and other interested organizations in the community to promote receipt of evidence for pending disability claims.

• Contacts, informs and educates physicians, hospitals, clinics, and other disability/medical organizations, agencies, institutions, schools, VA/Military facilities, State and local medical associations about the disability program requirements; the information needed on medical reports; and the methods of transmitting records electronically which would promote quality and timely receipt of medical evidence of record (MER) and consultative examinations (CEs) used to determine eligibility for disability determinations program.

• Analyzes operating/management data on medical evidence providers and recruits key providers for electronic medical evidence initiatives.  Identifies any problem areas needing additional actions.

• May enlist the cooperation and support of disability/medical organizations and individuals on policies and operations affecting their partnership with SSA/DDD using information leaflets, pamphlets and publications.

• May participate in meetings and conventions of State and local medical associations and other interested organizations.

• Keeps DDD officials and Regional Office informed about successes, problems or potential problems encountered with organizations or individuals.

Monitors CE vendor panel members’ scheduling, services and qualifications to ensure compliance with federal guidelines and credibility of the CE Process. 

• Maintains files of CE vendor panel members’ credentials, special instructions, scheduling requirements and updates as necessary.

• Monitors CE reports prepared by CE vendor panel members for quality of content. Investigates instances of inadequate reports.  Provides feedback and training as indicated.

• Conducts annual CE oversight reviews with key providers and other panel members periodically to review, collect, compile and analyze vendor’s compliance with federal guidelines.

• Travels and conducts onsite visits of CE vendors’ offices to ensure compliance with SSA guidelines.

• Handles and notifies staff of any scheduling or rescheduling issues that may require immediate action.

• Assists in handling reporting and fiscal payment issues.

Recruits qualified and acceptable CE vendors in the community based on CE scheduling trends and needs.

• Identifies and contacts potential CE vendors.

• Creates and maintains CE-related training materials.

• Provides DDD recruiting materials; explains the program criteria and specific needs for timely and quality reporting; and solicits participation in the program.
• Recruits qualified and acceptable CE vendors in the community based on CE scheduling trends and needs.

• Electronically submits vendor panel application materials for review and notifies CE vendor applicant of Vendor Panel Committee’s decision.  If approved, provides orientation/training to new CE vendors and staff.

• Provides orientation and ongoing training, assistance and communication with CE vendors and their staff on the SSA disability program; the organization of DDD; the disability process; CE reporting requirements; Electronic Records Express (ERE); transmission of electronic records; medical eligibility criteria; and the confidentiality and disclosure laws governing the program.

Maintains a sufficient number of qualified acceptable CE vendors in the community to perform CEs and ancillary medical testing required to adjudicate claims. 

• Monitors CE scheduling trends to ensure timely appointments and works with CE vendors for additional time slots, if needed.

• Works with the CE scheduling unit to ensure equitable usage of active CE vendors.

• Identifies CE resource needs based on reports, observations, policy revisions and feedback from management and staff for recruitment activities.

Investigates complaints regarding services rendered by CE panel members.  Determines the appropriate course of action to resolve the issues and initiates corrective actions if necessary.  Advises management of problems with panel members and recommends to management any changes in the use of active panel members as warranted.  Initiates corrective actions with vendor for any deficiencies noted. 

Reviews, analyzes and provides input on State and Federal policies and procedures which impact on professional relations.  Provides input to management in the development of agency policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.

Handles subpoenas for SSA related records, applying knowledge of the Privacy Act and the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the procedures and requirements for determining eligibility for Social Security disability benefits.

Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, function, dysfunction and disease processes.

Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to the processing of Social Security disability claims.

Ability to review and evaluate determinations for appropriate development and decisional accuracy, identify errors and recommend appropriate corrective actions.

Ability to conduct effective fact-finding interviews.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others.

Ability to maintain records and other policies, procedures and correspondence relating to Social Security disability benefits.

Ability to work independently.

Ability to use problem solving techniques.

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Skills using Outlook, MS Word, PolicyNet, POMS and the Legacy system.

Minimum Qualifications:

Current Florida Department of Health employee.

Preferred Qualifications:

At least 3 years’ experience determining medical eligibility for the SSA and/or Medically Needy disability benefits program.

Ability to travel up to 50% of the time.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Tampa

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
  (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;

And more!
For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
 
Please be advised:
 
Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  
 
This position requires a security background check and participation in direct deposit.

Your conditional job offer and access to Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) systems, data, information, and/or premises are contingent upon you passing the SSA suitability process.

*Note: This covers the preliminary screening (pre-screen) and the final background adjudication stage of the suitability process.

Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.
 

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.